The House Carpenter

Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met, cried he
I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee

I could have married a kings daughter, dear
I'm sure she'd marry me
But I've for saken her crown of gold
And it's all for th love of thee

If you could'a married a kings daughter, dear
I'm sure you are to blame
For I'm married to a house carpenter
And I find him a nice young man

Won't you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I'll take you to where the grass grows green
On the banks of the sweet lily

If I forsake my house carpenter
And go along with you
What have you there to montain me upon
And to keep me from slavery

O, don't you see them seven ships
A sailing for dry land
There's a hundred and ten of the finest waiting men
They'll be at your command

She pick-ed up her little babe
An' kisses gave it three
Saying, stay here, stay here, my precious little babe
Keep your papa company

They had not been sailing about two weeks
I'm sure it was not three
Till this fair damsel began to weep
And she wept most bitterly

What are you weeping for; my gold
Or is it for my store
Or is it for your house carpenter
That you left on old England shore

I'm neither weeping for your gold
Nor is it for your store
I'm weeping for my precious little babe
That I never shall see any more

They had not been sailing about three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
Till under the decks there sprang a leak
And she sank to rise no more

O curse, O curse, all seamen, cried she
O curse, them unto me
They have robbed me of my house carpenter
And now they are drownding me

O, don't you see that turtle dove
A flying from vine to vine
He's mourning for his own true love
Just like I mourn for mine